RadoNorm

New publication from WP2 on predicting radium sorption in soils A new paper from J. Serra-Ventura, M. Vidal and A. Rigol of WP2 in RadoNorm titled “Construction and validation of parametric models to predict radium sorption in soils” was published recently in the Science of the Total Environment. The researchers from University of Barcelona studied the interaction of radium-226 in soils, a radionuclide of concern due to its long half-life and radiotoxicity, which can be found in areas affected by uranium mining and milling operations. In more detail, they quantified sorption and desorption solid-liquid distribution coefficients (Kd) of Ra-226 in a set of uncontaminated soils through laboratory batch experiments. A dataset of sorption Kd (Ra) values and associated soil properties was built from their own data and from the literature after performing an in-depth, critical review of similar Ra sorption studies of the last 40 years. For the first time, parametric prediction models were constructed that were able to explain around 80% of the Kd (Ra) data variance, only needing few input parameters. The validation of the models confirmed their viability for estimating the interaction of Ra in soils in risk assessment analyses. This and more RadoNorm publication can be found on the https://lnkd.in/dxbHH3kg. #radonorm #paper  

Tenure Track Position in Ionizing Radiation Research at PUCP The RadoNorm stakeholder Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), has recently initiated the search for an exceptional candidate to fill a Tenure Track position in the field of Ionizing Radiation Research. RadoNorm is delighted to assist in disseminating this remarkable opportunity. The official job posting with full details can be found in the following links: https://lnkd.in/dk3UPyMM https://lnkd.in/dt5u4beg (in Spanish). Note Application deadline: Friday, August 30, 2024 #radonorm #research

RadoNorm funded citizen science project, RadonGPS holds final meeting with citizens in Poniky, Slovakia.  RadonGPS recently concluded its final meeting with citizens from Poniky and the surrounding villages in Slovakia. The event was marked by active participation and engagement from the local community. Citizens showed particular interest in the students' radon mitigation projects and the results of both short-term and long-term radon measurements conducted in their homes. These collaborative efforts have fostered a sense of local commitment to improving public health and reducing the risk of radon exposure. RadonGPS is a citizen science project involving approximately 50 citizen scientists, including adults and secondary construction students. The project aims to answer the research question: “How can future building professionals help improve the implementation of radon concentration reducing measures in Slovakian private dwellings?” To this end, short-term, two-week measurements were conducted using radon detectors in 34 dwellings (126 rooms). Additionally, long-term measurements involved three-month testing in 47 private dwellings (93 rooms) in the Banska Bystrica self-governing region. The project engaged students from a secondary construction school, as future building professionals, to design tailor-made mitigation measures for owners of dwellings with high radon concentrations. In total, 14 anti-radon measures were designed, comprising 13 radon remediation projects and one radon prevention project. Visit https://lnkd.in/dehMWrqV for more information about the project. For further information about the RadoNorm citizen science projects, see: https://lnkd.in/duF3kz5M. #radonorm #citizenscience  

RadoNorm successfully concluded its 4th Annual Meeting This year’s annual meeting welcomed around 85 participants representing 70 institutions to Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 10th to 13th June 2024, and featured the largest ever RadoNorm meeting, which was attended in person. A significant number of participants were online and contributed to a diverse range of presentations spanning the entire research portfolio of the project. The talks and panel discussions showed how RadoNorm’s results contribute to a strong foundation of fundamental knowledge and build towards establishing recommendations and an application of the knowledge in various aspects of radiation protection. Members of the consortium had effective internal meetings on the 10th and 11th, with the majority being inter-workpackage meetings. The Early Career Researcher Council also elected a new board for the upcoming year and organised a mixer for networking between ECRs and the more senior scientists in the project. The citizen science projects in WP6 also won an honorary mention for the EU prize for citizen science https://lnkd.in/dh9Rp34B, which was announced by the awarding body coincidentally on the 12th June. The final meeting is planned to be organised in Budapest in 2025, for which the dates will be announced soon. #radonorm

The last panel discussion at RadoNorm annual meeting on naturally occurring radionuclides in building materials: legal framework and challenges for free market with panellists H. Janžekovič (SLO Nuclear Safety Admin), I. Fojtíková (SURO), C. Nuccetelli (ISS) and B. Hoffmann (BfS),moderated by Kateřina N. Rovenská (SURO).

RadoNorm 1st panel discussion opened important question how research results should be implemented.

Panel discussion at RadoNorm 4th annual meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on practical aspects of the implementation of radon dose coefficients for workers related to the Commission Recommendation 2024/440 on the use of dose coefficients for the estimation of the effective dose and equivalent dose for the purposes of Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom with panellists W. Rühm (ICRP), A. Ďurecová (NatuRadon), F. Bochicchio (ISS) and B. Okyar (IAEA) moderated by Aleš Froňka (SURO).

RadoNorm 4th annual meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia is ongoin with many different presentations and discussions. You can still join https://lnkd.in/dWDEJ4HG

New publication exploring uranium tolerance in soil-plant interactions Colleagues from WP2 of RadoNorm published a recent article in the Journal of Environmental and Experimental Botany titled Uranium-tolerant soil bacteria protect Arabidopsis thaliana seedling growth from uranium toxicity. Authored by A. Galeone, F. Devime, V. Chapon, M. Merroun, C. Alban, S. Ravanel & J. Bourguignon https://lnkd.in/db2-v-8k , the study investigates the interactions between soil bacteria and plants in the context of uranium pollution. It was shown that uranium had very little effect on seed germination of Arabidopsis thaliana but induced severe root and shoot growth inhibition in the early stages of seedling development. Two particular soil bacterial strains, which are able to tolerate high concentrations of uranium, strongly reduced the toxic effects of the radionuclide. This protection was specific to uranium-tolerant soil bacteria and was due to their ability to sequester uranium, either by biosorption at the cell surface and/or by intracellular or extracellular biomineralization. Furthermore, the ability of soil bacteria to prevent uranium toxicity was dependent on metabolically driven biological processes. This study suggests that uranium-tolerant soil bacteria may be useful for phytostabilization strategies of uranium-contaminated soils and for limiting the entry of this toxic element into crops. This and more papers from RadoNorm can be found on the website.   #radonorm #paper

RadAR holds Exciting Event in Lisbon for Student Citizen Scientists. The RadAR citizen science project in Portugal, involving approximately 60 students from three high schools in inland Portugal, recently held an event in Lisbon for the three participating schools. The project sought to answer the research question: “Can a local campaign designed and implemented by students improve monitoring rates and promote action to reduce indoor radon exposure?” Students were engaged as citizen scientists to monitor and promote actions to reduce indoor radon exposure by creating and implementing a local communication strategy to measure 300 dwellings and to take action to reduce indoor radon exposure in the cases where high concentrations levels are found. As part of the event, the students, organised into several groups, first visited the laboratories where the radon devices were received and analysed and then participated in outdoor events focused on air quality, organised by the team at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST). After the lab tours, the students gathered in the “Pavilhão do Conhecimento” (Knowledge Pavilion) where the event was held together with the project partner Ciência Viva. Following introductions and brief presentations by IST, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), and RadoNorm (Meritxell Martell, Subtask leader), the spotlight turned to the students. In an impressive showcase, each school presented their methods of radon communication, shared their results with statistics, and proposed remediation strategies for some cases. Their presentations were met with enthusiasm, and they skilfully answered questions from the audience, demonstrating their understanding and engagement with the project. The event not only highlighted the students' hard work and learning but also emphasised the importance of involving high school students in tackling societal issues. For more information about the project, visit here. For further information about the RadoNorm citizen science projects, see: https://lnkd.in/duF3kz5M